Report: More Central American Migrants Coming to USA
The Arizona Republic reports that the Pew Research Center has measured a slight increase in undocumented immigrants in the U.S. from 11.9 million in 2009 to 11.7 million in 2012. This increase is largely due to a surge in immigrants from Central America, while the percentage from Mexico remains consistent. The spike follows a plunge in the population of undocumented immigrants during the Great Recession, during which time fewer jobs were available for both citizens and non-citizens.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/24/central-american-migrantson-rise/2860913/
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How Many Cubans Come To America Each Year Though Mexican Border? Number Has Risen To Over 13,000
Slate.com reports that in the fiscal year 2013, 13,664 Cubans entered the U.S., a substantial increase from 8,237 in 2012. Under a 1995 accord, the U.S. grants legal status and expedited green card processing to up to 20,000 Cubans per year from the moment of their entry into the country. Many Cubans are now choosing to cross at the Mexican border rather than risking the dangers of the Straits to Florida. The rise in Cuban immigrants may suggest that the recent reform of Cuba’s immigration system has encouraged unauthorized immigration. Previously, Cubans were required to obtain a “white card” or exit visa as well as an invitation from the country to which they sought to travel in order to leave the country legally. Willy Allen, a Miami immigration lawyer, commented that most Cubans coming into the U.S. are “younger than 40” and “may have had a tough time obtaining a visa to go to the U.S.”
http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/10/15/endia_beal_can_i
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Leahy: No Internal Border Patrol Checkpoints
Valley News reports that Senator Patrick Leahy recently questioned Department of Homeland Security as to whether or not it plans to build Border Control checkpoints in Vermont. Leahy challenged the effectiveness of an internal checkpoint so far from the Canadian border.
The Border Patrol has authority to stop and search travelers without reasonable suspicion within 100 miles of an international border, but the Border Patrol Public Affairs Office states that it had no plans to build a checkpoint in Vermont.
http://www.vnews.com/news/8743662-95/leahy-no-internal-border-patrolcheckpoints
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Border Patrol Hit with Abuse Complaints
Azcentral.com reports that The American Civil Liberties Union has received “scores” of complaints” in southern Arizona regarding Border Patrol agents. Agents have been accused of using excessive force, engaging in illegal searches and seizures, and stopping and detaining people without explanation. Federal law permits agents to patrol up to 100 miles from any national borders; many of these complaints come from interactions that occurred within 60 miles of the Arizona-Mexico border. James Duff Lyall, an ACLU attorney in Tucson, submitted a complaint on behalf of his group to the Department of Homeland Security inspector general, the DHS’ Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, and to the Department of Justice. He claimed that many people do not understand their specific rights when interacting with Border Patrol agents, and that some agents may not understand the “limits of their authority.” Chris Bauder, executive vice president of the National Border Patrol Council, spoke out against the complaints.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/20131008border-patrol-hit-abuse-complaints.html
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Shutdown Sends Border Patrol Trainees Home, May Cause Staffing Difficulties
Knau.com reports that during the federal government shutdown, several Border Patrol training facilities were closed and the training of new agents ceased. An estimated 350 individuals’ training was postponed during the shutdown. Shawn Moran, the vice president of The National Border Patrol Council, expressed concern about understaffing during the shutdown. Border Patrol was unable to deploy new agents to high-traffic outposts.
Training has since resumed.
http://knau.org/post/shutdown-sends-border-patrol-trainees-home-may-cause-staffing-difficulties
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